Electrical

Q&A: Tracing 3-Wire Circuits

Tracing 3-Wire Circuits

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A.Rex Cauldwell responds: Whether or not this is an acceptable wiring scheme depends on where the wire leads.

Partially switched receptacle. Three-conductor wire has two hots — black and red — and a white neutral. Though normally used for three-way switching, three-conductor wire is commonly used for duplex receptacle wiring as well. For a partially switched receptacle, for example, you would break off the tab on the brass side of the receptacle. The...